4 out of 4 stars
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Cooperative Lives is a fictional drama novel by Patrick Finegan. Set in New York City, it tells the story of three different families living in an apartment complex. Their lives intertwine in some way for short periods, and they discover that they have more in common than they would have expected.
The story starts by introducing George and Hanni Wallace, a unique couple that both care deeply for each other. However, when their only daughter Alya becomes diagnosed with leukemia, their entire world turns upside down. Their marriage starts to take a toll as they focus on Alya, as well as George taking time away from work. Alya sadly passes away, resulting in Hanni leaving him, and George losing his job. George hits rock bottom and feels lost and empty in his life. He must find a new way to live, with which he struggles throughout the story.
Jack, Susan, and Melissa are a loving family, friends of George and Hanni. Jack is a colleague of George and tries to seek justice for him following his lost career. They will suffer some consequences along the way but will have to determine whether the fight for George's job is worth it.
The third family is Sheldon, Marian, and their daughter Helen. A beloved couple, Sheldon and Marian loved each other very much and loved their daughter equally. Sadly, Helen and Marian passed away, leaving Sheldon alone. Similar to George's situation, he has had to adjust to a new life without them, which is an incredibly difficult task. Sheldon does find a special bond with Jack's family, which helps with his solitude.
The book is engaging from the start, and the storyline is unique. However, the plot is quite complicated to read, and there are several main characters, so it is not something the reader can skim. I do not find this to be a negative aspect because I enjoy psychological and convoluted plots. If you are looking for a smooth, light read, this may not be the right book for you.
The pacing of the book was also well done. None of the conflicts or scenes were introduced too quickly or slowly, keeping the reader interested throughout. I also enjoyed the tenses of each chapter being different, ranging from 2010 to 2013. It provided enough complexity to be interesting to read, but not too much to be confusing.
Perhaps the best demonstration of Finegan's writing was the scene of Alya's death. A precious little girl is taking her last breaths, clinging onto whatever life she had left. The trauma the family had to endure was truly emotional to read and was very well written by the author.
The highlight of the author's writing strengths, in my opinion, is his character development. The descriptions he introduced early on were effective and thorough, allowing the characters to grow throughout the plot. I felt for the characters and all of their struggles emotionally. I was also able to connect with each character. Knowing exactly how to express the imagination in words is something that only a few writers can effectively do. Finegan has achieved this task.
There were some mild profanities and erotic content throughout the book, but it is was not overwhelming and did not detract from the story. I would not recommend this book for younger readers. It is a hefty and emotional read, with a complex plot and adult subject matter.
On another note, the book had immaculate editing, and I did not find a single error.
I only have the most positive things to say about Cooperative Lives. It has flawless editing, an enthralling storyline, superb character development, and imaginative writing. Therefore, my rating is 4 out of 4 stars. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a tear-jerking story with a strong theme of the importance of family. I hope to read more from Patrick Finegan in the future.
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Cooperative Lives
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